Break the Stigma of
Mental Illness
Find Hope for Recovery from Psychiatric Illness
It is only
natural for
us to fear
what we do
not
understand.
Fear and
uncertainty
about mental
illness can
lead to
assuming
things that are
not true, or
stigma.
Although
progress is being
made to remove
the negative
stigma many
people have
about mental
illness…….
We still have a long way to
go to overcome the
mistaken beliefs, fears, and
prejudices created by these
attitudes.
A stigma is a behavior, trait, or
reputation that is socially
unacceptable.
That “mark” could cause others
to viewed people as undesirable
or reject them based on
assumptions instead of
accepting them for who they are.
Definition of Stigma….
Because stigmas are
based on myths and
misunderstandings…
… they can be
negative, hurtful, and
dangerous.
Stigma is more than the
use of harmful words or
actions…..
Stigmas can be a
barrier between
people….
Stigmas can keep
people and their
families from getting
the help they need if
they are afraid of
discrimination….
Stigma of
mental illness
can make it
harder to get
insurance
coverage for
mental health
services.
Stigma can
cause fear,
mistrust, and
sometimes
violence
against people
living with
mental illness.
Stigma can
sometimes
result in
families and
friends turning
their backs on
people with
mental illness.
Stigma keeps
people from
seeking the
mental health
services they
need and
deserve.
What are Mental Illnesses?
Mental illnesses are
medical conditions that
may affect the brain
chemicals produced.
 Mental illnesses disrupt a
person's thinking,
feeling, mood, ability to
relate to others, and
ability to function.

So, the real question is…..
Why is a Stigma
attached to a disorder
of the brain when there
is no stigma attached to
diseases of other organs
of the human body?
Is There Stigma with these Disorders?
Lung diseases
 Diabetes
 Heart diseases
 Vision problems
 Bone and Skin Diseases
 Arthritis
 Kidney Disease
 Liver Disease
 Any type of CANCER….

Is There Stigma with These Disorders?
Alcohol and Drug
Addictions
 Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity
Disorder
 Autism
 Dementia or
Alzheimer’s
Disease

Learning Disorders
 Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder
 Sleep Disorders
 Eating Disorders
(like Bulimia and
Anorexia Nervosa)

Is There Stigma with These Disorders?
Anxiety Disorder
 Panic Disorder
 Bipolar Disorder
 Borderline
Personality Disorder
 Depression
 Schizophrenia
 Obsessive –
Compulsive Disorder

Mental illnesses are
medical conditions that
often result in a
diminished capacity for
coping with the
ordinary demands of
life.
…..Just as with any
other medical
diagnosis.
Even though
these are ALL
mental
illnesses and
disorders,
ask
yourself……
Have you
ever
stigmatized
others?
Discussion:
We are
ALL
guilty…..
but we can
change.
Stigma:
Revealing the Facts and
Busting the Myths
MYTH
People with mental illness
are usually poor, less
intelligent and less
educated.
FACT
Like a physical illness, mental
illness can affect people of all
ages and all “social classes”.
People in any type of job, of all
levels of education and income
levels can have mental illness.
There are
MANY famous
people:
scholars, actors,
artists,
musicians, and
others that have
mental illness.
Faces of Mental Illness
…..these
people with
psychiatric
illnesses have
all led
creative,
productive
lives.
Discussion:
MYTH
All mentally ill are violent
and unpredictable.
FACT
Mentally ill persons are no more
violent than any other “group”
of people.
In fact, they are more likely to be
victims of violence.
Our knowledge of mental
illness has been limited
There are a lot of myths, misunderstandings
negative attitudes about mental illness.
 A main source of information about mental
illness comes from movies and television.
This is often a distorted and inaccurate way
to describe mental illness.
 News stories have only focused on the high
profile, dramatic …..random cases linked to
people with mental illness.

MYTH
Mental Illness happens
because of a personal
weakness or “character flaw”.
FACT
Mental illnesses have very complex
causes. A mix of genetics (family
history), biology and life
experiences can contribute. Most
of these are beyond a person’s
control.
It’s an illness! It has
nothing to do with
being weak or lacking
will power. People
with mental illness do
not choose to become
ill. They are not lazy
and they can not “just
snap out of it”.
Could you imagine
thinking or telling
someone with cancer or a
heart condition that they
should “just snap out of
it” ?
Do you think they can
they just get rid of their
condition instantly by
wanting to?
Of course not! - People with illnesses can’t
snap their fingers and make it all go away,
and they can’t simply “pull themselves up
by their bootstraps” and suddenly be well.
 It is the same with psychiatric illnesses – It
usually takes some time to recover.

MYTH
Young people and children
don’t suffer from mental
health problems.
FACT
More than 6 million young people in
America may suffer from a mental
health disorder. Those illnesses can
severely disrupt their ability to
function at home, in school, or in
their community.
MYTH
If a person has a mental
illness, it is a sign of
weakness – it’s their fault.
FACT
Psychiatric illness is no one’s fault,
anymore than heart disease or diabetes is a
person’s fault.
 Mental illnesses are NOT conditions that
people choose to have or not have.
 Mental illnesses are not a choice. No one
should have to feel ashamed of this
condition any more than any other
medical condition.

MYTH
If a person seeks help for
their mental health problem,
others will think they are
“crazy.”
FACT
No one should delay getting treatment for
a mental health problem.
 Some people worry that others will avoid
them if they seek treatment for their
mental illness.
 Early treatment can produce better results.
 Seeking help is a sign of strength, not
weakness.

MYTH
Most people with mental
illness are homeless or in
mental hospitals.
FACT
Over two-thirds of Americans who have a
mental illness live in the community and
lead productive lives.
 Most people who need hospitalization for
a mental illness are only there for brief
times to get treatment and are then able to
return home…….

Now is the time to get educated
about mental illness.
 With discussion and education,
fears and misconceptions
disappear.
 Education….Creates
Understanding.

Education is essential
Recovery and Mental Health
There is a need for a change in
thinking – an understanding that
recovery from mental illness is not
only possible, it happens all the time.
 Stigmatizing mental illness
undermines recovery from it.
 A shift in emphasis from mental
illness to mental health is needed.


Many organizations are committed to
helping people with mental illness, being
an advocate for mental health issues,
promoting awareness, and providing safe,
supportive and compassionate places for
treatment.
It is time to
remove the
stigma of
mental
illness… take
the barriers
down!
References



Schwartz Allan, PH.D. (2011). Mental Help.net. The Stigma of Mental
Illness Persists. Retrieved on February 21, 2011, from
http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=35536
Washington State Department of Social and Health Services. (2007).
Mental Health Transformation Grant Archive from
http://mhtransformation.wa.gov/MHTG/stopstigma.shtml or
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dbhr/mhtransgrant.shtml
By Shari Cavadini, RN (2011). Edited by Mary
Knutson RN. Revised 4-24-15